METALLICA ( Thrash Metal, USA ) Vinyl Discography & Album Cover Gallery

Metallica's story began in 1981 when drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield connected through an ad in a Los Angeles newspaper. They quickly bonded over their shared love for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and hardcore punk, a potent combination that would form the foundation of their unique sound. After a series of lineup changes, they solidified their roster with the recruitment of guitar virtuoso Kirk Hammett and the prodigiously talented bassist Cliff Burton.

'Kill 'Em All' and the Birth of a Legend

In 1983, Metallica released their debut album, 'Kill 'Em All', on the independent label Megaforce Records. With its relentless tempos, blistering guitar work, and Hetfield's snarling vocals, the album served as a blueprint for the emerging thrash metal scene. Tracks like "Hit the Lights," "Whiplash," and "Seek & Destroy" became instant anthems, capturing the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the underground metal movement.

Masterpieces and Mainstream Breakthrough

Building upon the momentum of their debut, Metallica continued to refine their craft. Their sophomore album, 'Ride the Lightning' (1984), showcased a greater level of musical complexity and lyrical depth. Songs like "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Fade to Black", and "Creeping Death" cemented their status as innovators, transcending the limitations of thrash metal to incorporate elements of progressive rock and classical music.

Metallica's relentless ambition culminated in the release of their 1986 masterpiece, 'Master of Puppets'. This landmark album is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time. Its intricate arrangements, epic song structures, and socially conscious lyrics pushed the boundaries of the genre and propelled the band to new heights of popularity. The title track, a scathing critique of drug addiction, alongside classics like "Battery" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" transformed Metallica from underground heroes to mainstream metal icons.

Tragedy and Perseverance

Metallica's meteoric rise was tragically cut short in 1986 when a bus accident in Sweden claimed the life of the beloved Cliff Burton. Devastated, the band's future seemed uncertain. However, they persevered, recruiting bassist Jason Newsted and returning to the studio. In 1988 they unleashed '...And Justice for All', a complex and uncompromising album that further solidified their status as heavy metal's leading force.

Legacy

Metallica's musical contributions throughout the 1980s were instrumental in shaping the thrash metal genre. Their relentless aggression, technical proficiency, and willingness to experiment set them apart from their peers. They paved the way for countless bands that followed, and their impact on heavy metal music is undeniable. The 1980s marked the most formative period of Metallica's illustrious career, an era that saw them rise from obscurity to become one of the biggest metal bands on the planet.

Hetfield has been praised for his powerful and distinctive vocal style, which blends elements of traditional heavy metal singing with his own unique phrasing and delivery. He is also known for his intricate and heavy guitar playing, which often employs alternate and palm-muted chord strumming and aggressive riffing.

Aside from his music career, Hetfield is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He is an avid supporter of environmental causes and has been involved in various charitable initiatives, including founding the Echoing Hope Ranch, a treatment facility for troubled teenagers.

In conclusion, James Hetfield is a true icon of heavy metal and a highly influential musician. He has made a lasting impact on the genre and continues to be an important figure in the music world.

James Hetfield's parents were Cynthia Bassett Hetfield and Virgil Lee Hetfield. His father was a truck driver and his mother was a light opera singer. Sadly, James' mother passed away from cancer when he was just 13 years old, which had a profound impact on him and has been referenced in several of his songs. Growing up, James was raised in a strict Christian Science household and attended church regularly. However, he later became disillusioned with religion and has described himself as agnostic.

Ulrich co-founded Metallica in 1981 along with James Hetfield, and has been a constant member of the band ever since. Under his leadership, Metallica has become one of the most successful and influential heavy metal acts of all time, selling over 125 million albums worldwide. He is known for his aggressive and powerful drumming style, as well as his contributions to the band's songwriting and image.

In addition to his work with Metallica, Ulrich has also been involved in various other musical projects and ventures, including film scoring and producing other artists. He is also a noted philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes and organizations, including music education programs for young people.

Overall, Lars Ulrich is a highly influential figure in the world of heavy metal and has made a significant impact on the genre through his work with Metallica. He continues to be an important member of the band and is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers in the history of heavy metal.

Aside from his musical abilities, Ulrich is also known for his outspoken personality and controversial statements. Throughout his career, he has been involved in several high-profile debates and controversies, including his role in the Napster lawsuit, as well as his views on file sharing, the music industry, and other topics. Despite these controversies, he remains a highly respected and influential figure in the world of music.

Outside of music, Ulrich is also an avid art collector and has been involved in various art-related projects and initiatives. He is also a noted philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes and organizations, including music education programs for young people.

In conclusion, Lars Ulrich is a multi-talented and influential figure who has made a lasting impact on the world of heavy metal and the music industry as a whole. Despite the controversies and challenges he has faced throughout his career, he remains a dedicated and passionate musician and continues to be a major force in the world of music.

Personal life: Lars Ulrich was born in Gentofte, Gentofte Kommune, Capital Region, Denmark on 26/12/1963. He is the first child of Torben Ulrich and Lone Sylvester-Hvid 11/12/1930.

When he was 34 years old, his mother Lone Sylvester-Hvid died (22/03/1998).

He married Debbie Jones in 1988. He married Skylar Satenstein in 1997. He married Connie Nielsen in 2004. He married Jessica Miller in 2015. He was 24 years old when he married Debbie Jones. He was 33 years old when he married Skylar Satenstein. He was 40 years old when he married Connie Nielsen. He was 51 years old when he married Jessica Miller. He got divorced from Debbie Jones in 1990. He got divorced from Skylar Satenstein in 2004. He got divorced from Connie Nielsen in 2012. He has two children with Skylar Satenstein: Layne Ulrich, Myles Ulrich.

Hammett started playing guitar at the age of 15, and was soon drawn to the world of heavy metal and hard rock music. After playing in several local bands, he joined Metallica in 1983 as the replacement for original guitarist Dave Mustaine. With Metallica, Hammett quickly established himself as one of the leading guitarists in heavy metal, and his intricate and imaginative solos became a key element of the band's sound.

Over the course of his career with Metallica, Hammett has helped the band achieve massive commercial and critical success, and has contributed to some of the band's most memorable songs, including "Enter Sandman," "The Unforgiven," and "One." He is also known for his extensive collection of horror memorabilia, and has even incorporated elements of his passion for horror into his guitar playing and stage presence.

Hammett has also been involved in various other musical projects and collaborations over the years, including producing other artists, and has been recognized for his contributions to the world of music with several awards and honors. He remains an active member of Metallica, and continues to tour and perform with the band.

Overall, Kirk Hammett is a highly skilled and influential guitarist who has made a lasting impact on the world of heavy metal and the music industry as a whole. His contributions to Metallica, as well as his solo work and other projects, have helped to cement his place as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock music.

Newsted joined Metallica in 1986, after the death of original bassist Cliff Burton. With Metallica, he helped the band achieve massive commercial and critical success, and played on several of the band's most successful albums, including "…And Justice for All," "Metallica," and "Load." He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential bassists in the world of heavy metal, and his aggressive and inventive bass lines helped to define the band's sound during his time with them.

After leaving Metallica in 2001, Newsted formed several other musical projects, including the bands Echobrain and Voivod, and has been involved in various other musical ventures and collaborations. He is also an avid painter and has been involved in several art-related projects and initiatives over the years.

Overall, Jason Newsted is a highly talented and influential musician who has made a significant impact on the world of heavy metal and the music industry as a whole. His contributions to Metallica, as well as his solo work and other projects, have earned him a place as one of the greatest bassists in the history of rock music.

Burton started playing the bass guitar at the age of 13, and was soon recognized as a talented and innovative musician. After playing in several local bands, he joined Metallica in 1982 and quickly established himself as one of the leading bassists in the world of heavy metal. With Metallica, Burton helped the band achieve commercial and critical success, and his intricate and imaginative bass lines became a key element of the band's sound.

Despite his brief time with Metallica, Burton left an indelible mark on the world of heavy metal and the music industry as a whole. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest bassists in the history of rock music, and his contributions to Metallica, as well as his solo work, have earned him a place among the legends of the genre.

Tragically, Burton died in a bus accident while on tour with Metallica in 1986, at the age of just 24. Despite his untimely death, his legacy continues to inspire musicians and fans all over the world, and his impact on the world of heavy metal and the music industry as a whole is widely recognized and celebrated.

In 2000, Metallica sued Napster for copyright infringement, alleging that the service was allowing users to share their music without permission. The lawsuit was one of the first major legal challenges to the emerging world of digital music and sparked a wider debate about the future of music distribution and copyright in the digital age.

Ultimately, the case against Napster was unsuccessful, and the company was forced to shut down in 2001. However, the case had far-reaching implications for the music industry, as it helped to set the stage for later debates over digital music and copyright, including the rise of online music services like iTunes and Spotify.

For Metallica, the legal battle with Napster was a turning point in their career and helped to solidify their reputation as one of the most successful and influential heavy metal bands of all time. Despite the controversy surrounding their lawsuit, the band continued to tour and record music, releasing several critically acclaimed albums in the years following their legal battle with Napster.